Brevard County Deputy Arrest Suspect For Trafficking Meth in Merritt Island
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // June 17, 2023
Tillman was transported to “Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge"
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – While we were all sleeping safe and sound in our beds last night, Deputy Chandler Davis of our East Precinct was out keeping the streets of Brevard County safe from criminals like Zachary Tillman.
Around 1:18 a.m., Deputy Chandler initiated a traffic stop on Tillman’s truck in the area of S.R. 3 and Pioneer Rd., in Merritt Island for obstructed taillights and no tag light.
While conducting the traffic stop, a K-9 Unit from our partners at Cocoa Beach PD responded to the scene to assist in the interaction and subsequently got a positive alert during a free air sniff of the vehicle.
Following the positive K-9 alert, a search of the vehicle revealed a modified short barrel rifle that was located on the driver’s side floorboard just in front of Tillman who was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Also located in a briefcase, that was hidden inside the toolbox of the truck, was approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine, along with numerous items of drug paraphernalia, including meth pipes, weighing scales, and packaging consistent with the sale and delivery of narcotics.
An inspection of the rifle revealed that it had been modified from the original manufacturer specifications by both the barrel and forearm being cut shorter than when first manufactured.
Tillman was read his constitutional rights and confessed to being in possession of both the drugs and modified rifle.
Not that this will come as a surprise to anyone, but at the time of the traffic stop Tillman was already on felony probation out of Jacksonville, for guess what…possession of methamphetamine.
Tillman was transported to “Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge” where he was held on “No Bond” for Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Sell, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle, and an On-Site Violation of Probation.
I can’t speak for you, but I sure sleep better at night knowing that great Deputies like Chandler Davis, the other incredible members of our agency, and our partners from our local Police Departments, are all out there at night keeping people like this guy away from our families.
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
